Nowicki418
New member
We have a permanent fish pond that is very close to a vernal pond. The vernal pond is on the neighbors property. While I was talking to the neighbor a while ago he mentioned seeing something strange a few years back. What he described fits the description of a mudpuppy perfectly! It was seen in a wet area between the two ponds. I know there are other things it could be, but I live in Michigan so the only species that fit are a mudpuppy or a large ambystoma larvae.
I've been looking for amphibians at this pond for years but most of those were when I was a little kid. Only for about 2 years now have I been able to do true herping so I don't think it is impossible that a population eluded me for so long. The pond was manmade like 15 years ago. Its not small but not huge.
If this was an ambystoma larvae than many factors would had to line up for the larvae to survive and grow to be a large size instead of changing to an adult. However, if there is a small chance we have a population of mudpuppies I'd like put some effort into finding out for sure. I look around at the pond edges both day and night so I know basic searching isn't enough.
I understand the chances are small and a simple description from an animal seen years ago isn't much to go on. But any advice on methods used to search for Necturus species?
I've been looking for amphibians at this pond for years but most of those were when I was a little kid. Only for about 2 years now have I been able to do true herping so I don't think it is impossible that a population eluded me for so long. The pond was manmade like 15 years ago. Its not small but not huge.
If this was an ambystoma larvae than many factors would had to line up for the larvae to survive and grow to be a large size instead of changing to an adult. However, if there is a small chance we have a population of mudpuppies I'd like put some effort into finding out for sure. I look around at the pond edges both day and night so I know basic searching isn't enough.
I understand the chances are small and a simple description from an animal seen years ago isn't much to go on. But any advice on methods used to search for Necturus species?